MELbOURNE MIDDAY hoto - Midday Milers · The origins of the Melbourne Midday Milers go back to 1978...
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54 Run foR youR life DECEmbEr-JANuAry 2009 DECEmbEr-JANuAry 2009 Run foR youR life 55 History of the Club The origins of the Melbourne Midday Milers go back to 1978 when employees of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) who were running regularly in their lunchtimes formed the Club Back then it was the Reserve Bank Midday Milers and the Club’s logo, which we still have today, was a running stickman whose head was the three pointed cross which is the corporate emblem of the RBA During the early 1990’s the RBA gradually closed its Melbourne operations and RBA employees took pack- ages The Club then became the Melbourne Midday Milers The precise date the RBMM became the MMM is unknown but it is likely the decision was made at the Imperial Hotel, which was the Club’s meeting venue At about the same time, the Club became incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act Today the Club does not have a home base although AGMs have for some years been held across the road from the Palmerston at the offices of Connell Wagner in Albert Road With the closure of the RBA the Club’s constitution was amended to allow non-RBA employees to become members Membership of the MMM became open to anyone who pays the membership subscrip- tion, and this criteria still applies today In the RBA days the Club published a monthly magazine that chronicled Club events and run results This was originally titled “On the Run”, and then became “Down The Track”, the last issue of which appeared in September 2001 In 2002 the Club went high-tech and introduced its own website (www middaymilersorg) The forum page on the website features a mixture of news, performance assessments, insightful comments and regular sledging In the 30 years of its life so far, the Club has had only five presi- dents; Cliff Green, Geoff York, Max Howard (two separate terms), Bob Stait, and Anthony Lee Members of the Club are these days quite easily recognised by their uniform This uniform has under- gone a number of changes over the years Very recently club caps have been introduced Social Appeal Starting out as primarily a social club, the MMMs have pro- duced many great runners They include current and past Victorian, Australian and international repre- sentatives One of those international representatives is Lisa Weightman, who represented Australia in the women’s marathon at the recent Beijing Olympics But the MMM isn’t an elite running group It is simply a group of people who love running Doctors, lawyers, IT professionals, money market trad- ers, weather forecasters, head-hunters (the civilised variety), TV broadcasters, accountants, bankers, geologists, physi- otherapists and university lecturers The list goes on There are even members who earn their living within the run- ning community Many club members train together on the weekends and compete in the same Athletic Clubs The social side of the Club goes beyond lunchtime run- ning Over the years members have arranged overseas and interstate races to compete in and occasionally go on family holidays together but the real reason is to get away for a few days training in a quiet coastal area or some other picturesque part of Victoria Nicknames abound throughout the Milers’ ranks In fact it’s almost impossible to not get one Some are as innocuous as a member’s initials, but others take a bit more detective work to decipher Sometimes even knowing a member’s nickname still doesn’t help Take for example that of founding member Max Howard, “lov- ingly” referred to as NFM (Negative Forward Motion) Still in the dark? If you’d ever witnessed Max finishing a 1500m track race or run up a hill, then it would be apparent Another Miler with a creative name is Stephen Paine otherwise known as House Originally he was labelled House of Paine, but the mem- bers thought it was too long and now you can hear “Go House” at many races, including his recent Phuket Marathon victory Also you can’t go past Dave Venour, aka the “Smooth One” Athletics commentators talk about the flowing styles of the greats, but Kipketer, Bekele and El Guerrouj have nothing on Smoothie when he is in good shape By now you could be getting the idea that we don’t take running too seriously, and you’d be right – and wrong depending on your perspec- tive We love running and many of us train hard to get fitter and faster Some of our members have proved that recently with outstanding results locally, nationally and even overseas In the past few years the Club has had some outstanding results through hard work, sharing training philosophies and providing a supportive running culture No matter what the results are; it’s all about fun We Milers are very proud of our “inclusivity” Anyone who wants to run with us is welcome Whether you’re one of the State’s elite athletes; someone just starting out at running or anywhere in between And there are plenty of those “in between” runners You don’t have to become a paid up member to run with the Milers, but it is encouraged Full member- ship costs the princely sum of $15 per year (sorry, there’s no discount for unemployed, but then again there aren’t many unem- ployed city-based workers!) What do your membership dollars get you, apart from the warm, fuzzy feeling of belonging to the group? You’ll get the group’s fortnightly training programs emailed to you You’ll also get Corporate Cup and race reports and be eligible for awards and prizes in Club events and the Club Championship Not to mention being able to purchase the popular, but optional, Club uniform at a subsidised rate The Milers are clearly not in it for the money The annual member- ship simply covers the cost of the website, prizes at events and subsidis- ing running gear Training Every Monday to Friday, every day of the year except public holidays, the MMMs meet at the ‘Pillars of Wisdom’ at the famous Tan run- ning track in Melbourne at 12:30pm From there the group commences whatever session was published in the fortnightly training program Some sessions attract over 30 runners, while on other days there may only be two Some days you’ll even be spoilt for choice as different groups of runners head off on alternative sessions because the day’s ses- sion doesn’t suit their training program The fortnightly training pro- gram is generally based around two quality (fartlek, interval and hill) sessions a week on Tuesday and Thursday with the remain- ing sessions generally being easy or steady runs around some of Melbourne’s finest natural attrac- tions, such as the Yarra, Fawkner Park or Albert Park Lake Most sessions will last about 30 or 40 minutes, so including the jog to and from the Pillars the session can generally be squeezed into a (slightly generous) lunch hour The runners doing alternative sessions still gather at the pillars, even though they’re not there for the day’s published session Why? Part of the reason is to see if anyone else in the group is interested in joining them for their alternative session, but of more importance is the social aspect of the group It’s also not unusual for injured members to attend events just to catch up with other members The MMMs have competed in the Melbourne City Sports Corporate Cup since its inception in 1982, and have gradually managed to dominate this competition in terms of the fastest times One of our members, NFM, has competed in every Corporate Cup series since the event began and was inducted into the MCS Hall of Fame in 2007 Milers can always be found com- peting at the: OxFam 100km Trailwalker; ■ Run For The Kids; ■ Melbourne Marathon and Half ■ Marathon as competitors and pacers; Gold Coast Marathon; ■ Ironman events across the world; ■ Stawell Gift; ■ And a host of other Fun Runs sup- ■ porting charities and community events Check out MELbOURNE MIDDAY MILERS club of the month written by GARY O’DWYER, PAuL MARTINICO, MAx HOWARD, ANTHONY LEE AND ANTHONY MITHEN The Milers at a round of the Autumn 2007 MCS Corporate Cup. photo: matthEW saNDIlaNDs H OW DO YOu PuT a label on a club that’s a bit like the Victorian Institute of Sport meeting the Hash House Harriers? Every weekday lunch hour, plodders run side by side with Victorian champions; where support and camaraderie are ever present This eclectic group for the past 30 years is known as the Melbourne Midday Milers (MMM) Looking back is something that is generally discouraged amongst runners, but perhaps it’s justified just this once one of the big advantages of a group like the milers is its huge pool of training knowledge. approach some of the older members of the group and you will be regaled with stories of their glory days and how soft young runners have become. Juanita Liston, Paul Martinico and Kirsten Jackson at the 2008 Australia Day Run. photo: JuaNIta lIstoN Richard Does, Anthony Lee and Anthony Mithen (all in club singlet) go through a drink station during the 2007 Melbourne Marathon. photo: bRucE aRthuR Paul Martinico, Anthony Lee and Dan Hornery after all scoring big PBs at the 2008 Christchurch Marathon. photo: kIRstEN JacksoN every monday to friday, every day of the year except public holidays, the mmms meet at the ‘pillars of wisdom’ at the famous tan running track in melbourne at 12:30pm. from there the group commences whatever session was published in the fortnightly training program. Lisa Weightman representing the Milers in the 2002 Corporate Cup. photo: maRk matthEWs
Transcript of MELbOURNE MIDDAY hoto - Midday Milers · The origins of the Melbourne Midday Milers go back to 1978...
54 Run foR youR life DECEmbEr-JANuAry2009 DECEmbEr-JANuAry2009 Run foR youR life 55
History of the clubThe origins of the Melbourne
Midday Milers go back to 1978 when employees of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) who were running regularly in their lunchtimes formed the Club . Back then it was the Reserve Bank Midday Milers and the Club’s logo, which we still have today, was a running stickman whose head was the three pointed cross which is the corporate emblem of the RBA . During the early 1990’s the RBA gradually closed its Melbourne operations and RBA employees took pack-ages . The Club then became the Melbourne Midday Milers . The precise date the RBMM became the MMM is unknown but it is likely the decision was made at the Imperial Hotel, which was the Club’s meeting venue . At about the same time, the Club became incorporated under the Associations
Incorporation Act .Today the Club does not have a
home base although AGMs have for some years been held across the road from the Palmerston at the offices of Connell Wagner in Albert Road .
With the closure of the RBA the Club’s constitution was amended to allow non-RBA employees
to become members . Membership of the MMM became open to anyone who pays the membership subscrip-tion, and this criteria still applies today .
In the RBA days the Club published a monthly magazine that chronicled Club events and run results . This was originally titled “On the Run”, and then
became “Down The Track”, the last issue of which appeared in September 2001 . In 2002 the Club went high-tech and introduced its own website (www .middaymilers .org) . The forum page on the website features a mixture of news, performance assessments, insightful comments and regular sledging .
In the 30 years of its life so far, the Club has had only five presi-dents; Cliff Green, Geoff York, Max Howard (two separate terms), Bob Stait, and Anthony Lee .
Members of the Club are these days quite easily recognised by their uniform . This uniform has under-gone a number of changes over the years . Very recently club caps have been introduced .
social appealStarting out as primarily a
social club, the MMMs have pro-duced many great runners . They include current and past Victorian, Australian and international repre-sentatives . One of those international representatives is Lisa Weightman, who represented Australia in the women’s marathon at the recent Beijing Olympics .
But the MMM isn’t an elite running group . It is simply a group of people who love running . Doctors, lawyers, IT professionals, money market trad-ers, weather forecasters, head-hunters (the civilised variety), TV broadcasters, accountants, bankers, geologists, physi-otherapists and university lecturers . The list goes on . There are even members who earn their living within the run-ning community .
Many club members train together on the weekends and compete in the same Athletic Clubs . The social side of the Club goes beyond lunchtime run-ning . Over the years members have arranged overseas and interstate races to compete in and occasionally go on family holidays together but the real reason is to get away for a few days training in a quiet coastal area or some other picturesque part of Victoria .
Nicknames abound throughout the Milers’ ranks . In fact it’s almost impossible to not get one . Some are as innocuous as a member’s initials, but others take a bit more detective work to decipher . Sometimes even knowing a member’s nickname still doesn’t help . Take for example that of founding member Max Howard, “lov-ingly” referred to as NFM (Negative Forward Motion) . Still in the dark? If
you’d ever witnessed Max finishing a 1500m track race or run up a hill, then it would be apparent .
Another Miler with a creative name is Stephen Paine otherwise known as House . Originally he was labelled House of Paine, but the mem-bers thought it was too long and now you can hear “Go House” at many races, including his recent Phuket Marathon victory .
Also you can’t go past Dave Venour, aka the “Smooth One” . Athletics commentators talk about the flowing styles of the greats, but Kipketer, Bekele and El Guerrouj have nothing on Smoothie when he is in good shape .
By now you could be getting the idea that we don’t take running too seriously, and you’d be right – and wrong depending on your perspec-tive . We love running and many of us train hard to get fitter and faster . Some of our members have proved that recently with outstanding results locally, nationally and even overseas . In the past few years the Club has had some outstanding results through hard work, sharing training philosophies and providing a supportive running culture . No matter what the results are; it’s all about fun .
We Milers are very proud of our “inclusivity” . Anyone who wants to run with us is welcome . Whether you’re one of the State’s elite athletes; someone just starting out at running or anywhere in between . And there are plenty of those “in between” runners .
You don’t have to become a paid up member to run with the Milers, but it is encouraged . Full member-ship costs the princely sum of $15 per year (sorry, there’s no discount for unemployed, but then again there aren’t
many unem-ployed city-based workers!) . What do your membership dollars get you, apart from the warm, fuzzy feeling of belonging to the group? You’ll get the group’s fortnightly training programs emailed to you . You’ll also get Corporate Cup and race reports and be eligible for awards and prizes in Club events and the Club Championship . Not to mention being able to purchase the popular, but optional, Club uniform at a subsidised rate . The Milers are clearly not in it for the money . The annual member-ship simply covers the cost of the website, prizes at events and subsidis-ing running gear .
trainingEvery Monday to Friday, every
day of the year except public holidays, the MMMs meet at the ‘Pillars of Wisdom’ at the famous Tan run-ning track in Melbourne at 12:30pm . From there the group commences whatever session was published in the fortnightly training program . Some sessions attract over 30 runners, while on other days there may only be two .
Some days you’ll even be spoilt for choice as different groups of runners head off on alternative sessions because the day’s ses-sion doesn’t suit their training program .
The fortnightly training pro-gram is generally based around two quality (fartlek, interval and hill) sessions a week on Tuesday and Thursday with the remain-ing sessions generally being easy or steady runs around some of Melbourne’s finest natural attrac-tions, such as the Yarra, Fawkner Park or Albert Park Lake . Most sessions will last about 30 or 40 minutes, so including the jog to and from the Pillars the session can generally be squeezed into a (slightly generous) lunch hour .
The runners doing alternative sessions still gather at the pillars, even though they’re not there for the day’s published session . Why? Part of the reason is to see if anyone else in the group is interested in joining them for
their alternative session, but of more importance is the social aspect of the group . It’s also not unusual for injured members to attend events just to catch up with other members .
The MMMs have competed in the Melbourne City Sports Corporate Cup since its inception in 1982, and have gradually managed to dominate this competition in terms of the fastest times . One of our members, NFM, has competed in every Corporate Cup series since the event began and was inducted into the MCS Hall of Fame in 2007 .
Milers can always be found com-peting at the:
OxFam 100km Trailwalker; ■Run For The Kids; ■Melbourne Marathon and Half ■Marathon as competitors and pacers;Gold Coast Marathon; ■Ironman events across the world; ■Stawell Gift; ■And a host of other Fun Runs sup- ■porting charities and community events . Check out
MELbOURNEMIDDAY
MILERS
club of the month
written by GARY O’DWYER, PAuL MARTINICO, MAx HOWARD, ANTHONY LEE AND ANTHONY MITHEN
The Milers at a round of the Autumn 2007 MCS �Corporate Cup. photo: matthEW saNDIlaNDs
HOW DO YOu PuT a label on a club that’s a bit like the Victorian Institute of Sport meeting the Hash House Harriers? Every weekday lunch hour, plodders run side by side with Victorian champions; where support and camaraderie are ever present . This eclectic group for the past 30 years is known as the Melbourne
Midday Milers (MMM) . Looking back is something that is generally discouraged amongst runners, but perhaps it’s justified just this once .
one of the big advantages of a group like the milers is its huge pool of training knowledge. approach some of the older members of the group and you will be regaled with stories of their glory days and how soft young runners have become.
Juanita Liston, Paul Martinico and Kirsten �
Jackson at the 2008 Australia Day Run.
photo: JuaNIta lIstoN
Richard Does, Anthony Lee and Anthony Mithen �
(all in club singlet) go through a drink station during the 2007 Melbourne Marathon. photo: bRucE aRthuR
Paul Martinico, Anthony Lee and Dan Hornery after �
all scoring big PBs at the 2008 Christchurch Marathon.
photo: kIRstEN JacksoN
every monday to friday, every day of the year except public holidays, the mmms meet at the ‘pillars of wisdom’ at the famous tan running track in melbourne at 12:30pm. from there the group commences whatever session was published in the fortnightly training program.
Lisa Weightman �representing the Milers in
the 2002 Corporate Cup. photo: maRk matthEWs
56 Run foR youR life DECEmbEr-JANuAry2009 DECEmbEr-JANuAry2009 Run foR youR life 57
the recent results on the website - www .middaymilers .org . Milers singlets regularly appear on victory podiums . We don’t all aspire to great-ness though . Many members are just glad to be able to still get out there and run and enjoy the social side whilst keeping fit .
sharing the knowledge/wealth
One of the big advantages of a group like the Milers is its huge pool of training knowledge . Approach some of the older members of the group and you will be entertained with sto-ries of their glory days and how soft young runners have become . Jokes aside, everyone is willing to help each other reach their goals, irrespective of their ability . On one occasion, a new member approached “NFM” for the secrets of his past success . Expecting a detailed outline of a scientific training program, the newbie was perplexed by his succinct response: “I trained my guts out” . Now folks you will have to go a long way to get training advice of that quality . Many elder statesmen of the club pass on knowledge from the days when they trained with “Deek” or how they balanced work, family and run-ning, and not always in that order .
Richard “Dozer” Does is one member who tapped into the shared knowledge from more experienced runners . Dozer joined the club a few years ago and started as someone wanting to get fit and get out of the office at lunchtime . By doing noth-ing more than regularly taking part in the lunchtime training sessions, he became quite an accomplished
runner . In 2007 Dozer decided to run in the Melbourne Marathon and set about asking other members what is the best way to approach it and what he should expect . Dozer ran a remark-able debut marathon of 2 .45! He will be the first to admit that it wouldn’t have been possible without the sup-port of the club . Whether you want to run a marathon because it’s a box that remains unticked or you want to run a 2 .45 debut, rest assured there is the advice and support within the Miler ranks to help you get there .
club eventsThe Club also hosts a Club
Championship competition that runs over several events throughout the year . Among the most popular are the March and November team relays . In March it’s the 5M’s relay where 20 plus runners head to the Torquay / Barwon Heads region to compete in a tough and highly entertaining day of run-ning . At the start of the day teams are picked with each team consisting of 4 runners . The teams are picked from a form guide that is put together leading up to the day . Careful planning and
fairness ensures teams are as even as possible . In 2007 the race was decided by less than one second . It’s hard to imagine such a tight winning margin after 16 legs covering over 50 kilometres .
Arguably the most anticipated race of the year is the relay held in Romsey each November . This relay holds signifi-
cant importance in the Club and is named the Nigel Aylott Relay (NAR) . Nigel was tragically killed in an inter-national adventure race a few years ago, and to this day symbolises what the Club is about . He possessed steely determination and a tough work ethic but most of all was a great mate to everyone .
The NAR attracts the fastest and slowest of the Club’s members . It’s a day where runners of all levels enjoy hills that never seem to end and where friends become foe, and push each other to their respective limits .
At the end of each relay the teams gather to hear the results, a speech from the Club President, have a BBQ and share some stories over a beer or Gatorade . The stories are invariably vastly different to the speeds actu-ally run during the relay . These races are great fun for participants and spectators and are run in a friendly competitive spirit . Videos, photos and lists of all races are available on the Club’s website and YouTube .
club organisationWhilst the spiritual home of the
Milers is the Tan, our virtual home is the Forum on the Club’s website . The forum is a great source of informa-tion and regularly shows the sense of humour of some of the members . There are often some tongue-in-cheek comments made about each other, which is never serious and new mem-bers will soon appreciate the witty humour of the group .
The Milers are led by a dedicated band of hard working committee members . Under the current Club President, Al Prez, the Club has gone from strength to strength in the past
couple of years and is approaching its highest ever number of financial members . The Club also has many
non-financial ‘friends’ . Chief
amongst them is the training group known as the ‘Friends of the NAB’, and there are many others who attend the 5M’s and NAR relays . They say that “many hands make light work”, and the way that members respond to calls for assistance at Club events really proves that . The quality of the officiating at Club events rivals that of some profes-sional organisations . We might not get AA certification on our courses, but we still take a great deal of care in ensuring that races are conducted over the published distance .
In many organisations the presi-dent is little more than a figurehead .
That is not the case with the Milers . However, there is another position more powerful in the club hierarchy . With the bulk of the events in the
Club Championship being hand-icap races, that honour would go to the Handicapper . A position currently held by Dozer . To prove that he is totally beyond reproach, Dozer will happily accept any bribe that a member cares to send his way, and then give him a harsh handicap regardless . Over the three decades that the Club has been operating, handicapped races have always been popular and it is rarely the fastest running that wins .
well representedThe Milers are also well rep-
resented in the Athletics Victoria (AV) Cross Country and Track sea-sons . Many people join the Milers for the fitness and health aspects of running and soon sign up to one of the sixteen AV clubs represented by the Milers once they realise it is not an elitist competition . The Milers are proud to support Victoria’s premier athletics competitions .
Besides AV, the Milers are also involved in many other competitions,
some being Associated Public Schools (APS), Victoria Athletic League (VAL), Victorian Orienteering, and Triathlons Victoria .
With a 30 year history, supportive, friendly and informed group of like-minded runners (and city-workers) why don’t you jog to the pillars at the Tan at 12:30pm one weekday and introduce yourself . One thing for cer-tain is that you will be welcomed and quickly made to feel part of the group . The Melbourne Midday Milers is a group of people who love running and provide a friendly environment to do it . Everyone is welcome!
Wayne Williams, Christina �Klettner and Paul Martinico line up for an afternoon stage of the 2005 5M relay at Barwon Heads. photo: aNthoNy lEE
club of the month
by now you could be getting the idea that we don’t take running too seriously, and you’d be right – and wrong depending on your perspective. we love running and many of us train hard to get fitter and faster. some of our members have proved that recently with outstanding results locally, nationally and even overseas.
Milers in AV uniform at the XCR08 AV Tan Relay. �photo: GaRy o’DWyER
Mark Willets, Tony Hally, Anthony Lee, Shane Fielding, Anthony Weiland
�and Anthony Mithen with the Team Samsung girls before the 2007
Melbourne Marathon. photo: bRucE aRthuR
Dan Hornery (2nd) and Andre La Gerche (3rd) either �side of Mark Tucker at the 2008 Great Ocean Road Half Marathon presentations. photo: aNthoNy lEE
Colin Thornton enjoying a podium �
moment after running up Alpe d’Huez as a training run whilst following the 2007 Tour de France. photo: colIN thoRNtoN
Dan “retro” Hornery■ 1st Victorian Athletics Steeple Championships 2007, 3rd Christchurch Half Marathon 2008, 8th City to Surf 2008, 2nd Great Ocean Rd Half Marathon 2008, 3rd Victorian Half Marathon Championships 2008, 10th Australian Cross Country Championships 2008.Paul “PM” Martinico■ 3rd Christchurch Marathon 2008, 5th Victorian 5000m Championships 2008.andre “thumper” la gerche■ 1st Puffing Billy Great Train Race 2008.Bruce “arthur the Bruce” arthur■ Dual Victorian Orienteering Champion, Australian Orienteering representative.stephen “House” Paine■ 1st Phuket Marathon 2008, 1st King Island Imperial 20 + 1st in nude romp.Mike “grunter” Bialzcak■ 2006 Athletics Victoria Winter age group champion.
Recent mmm Results:
Nigel Aylott storming home along �the tan at the 2002 Corporate Cup. photo: maRk matthEWs
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